The true cost of public access
With Scotland’s countryside beginning to open up, NFU Scotland’s head of policy team Gemma Cooper has used the union’s website blog to pose the question, What is the true cost of public access?
While easing Covid restrictions is likely to come as a relief to many, it is already a source of great concern for farmers and crofters as last year saw huge issues with public access.
Organisations such as NFUS were inundated with calls from concerned members – logging problems with out-of-control dogs, livestock worrying, fly-tipping, wild camping, access to farm buildings.
Gemma writes: ‘Access to our fantastic countryside must be better resourced and a long-term strategic approach is a critical part of this conversation.’